We’ve spilt coffee on ourselves three days in a row now, which can only mean one thing: it’s cruise wrap day!

Croatia Cruises still available

SAVINGS on the last of the 2018 summer sailings for cabins on Croatian cruises from Dubrovnik and Split are now available with discounts of up to $1600 per couple on selected departures in July, August, September and through specialist Cruise Croatia.

With limited availability, bookings and deposits must be made by July 31 (unless sold out prior). The ‘Dalmatian Explorer’ cruise is a roundtrip from Split aboard the MS Kelopatra. It visits the most popular ports of Hvar, Korcula, Dubrovnik, Mljet, Pucisca and Omis. The ship features a spa deck with Jacuzzi and sun lounges, modern bar and restaurant facilities and a swimming platform.

For departures on August 11, 18, 25 and October 13 the cruise is now priced from $1480 per person twin share and includes seven nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast and lunch or dinner daily, bottled water daily, free WIFI plus guided walking tours of Dubrovnik, Havr, Korcula and Split.

Another great value option is a seven-night first class cruise aboard the Ms Princess Aloha with departures now starting from $1290 per person twin share. This Dubrovnik roundtrip cruise takes in all the popular highlights many inclusive of guided tours.

Join renowned food editor and stylist on a Scenic All-Inclusive South of France Culinary Cruise in 2019

Join The Australian Women’s Weekly food director Fran Abdallaoui and food editor-at-large Michele Cranston on an exclusive culinary experience cruising in luxury through the stunning South of France. You’ll enjoy top-notch regional food and wine, learn an array of expert tips and be in the company of two of Australia’s preeminent food gurus!

All the secrets from the famous the Australian Women’s Weekly Test Kitchen can be yours on this special journey on our 13 Day South of France river cruise in July 2019.

Journey highlights will include a hosted wine and cheese tasting in the Lyon region, cooking classes, a visit to the Valrhona Chocolate Factory and two exclusive Scenic Enrich events: A gala dinner at the prestigious Popes Palace of Avignon and can-can spectacular under the big-top in Lyon at the Scenic Rouge! Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity – it’ll be a feast for all senses.

13 Day Cruise from only $8,595pp including return flights to France if booked by 31 August 2018

Sail with Azamara Club Cruises and Indulge for Free

Azamara Club Cruises is spoiling its guests by offering incredible indulgence packages for free on a range of local and international sailings. Eligible bookings made between 1 July and 31 August 2018 on a select range of local and international sailings departing on or after November 6, 2018, will receive an ‘Enjoyment Package’ or ‘Indulgence Package’ according to tier of stateroom.

Interior and Oceanview guests will receive the ‘Experience More Enjoyment Package,’ a sumptuous treat of up to USD$500 Shore Excursion Onboard Credit, Unlimited Wifi for two devices, a Premium Beverage package for two and up to USD$200 Onboard Spa Credit.

Veranda and Suite guests will enjoy the ‘Experience More Indulgence Package,’ which includes up to USD$700 Shore Excursion Onboard Credit, Unlimited Wifi for two devices, an Ultimate Beverage Package for two, up to USD$250 Onboard Spa Credit, a Chef’s Table experience for two and two free bags of laundry during the voyage.

Offer is combinable with back to back benefits, onboard booking savings, Le Club Voyage Quarterly Savings, one other Onboard Credit or value add.

Windstar Cruises adds more overnights and late-night port calls in some of the world’s greatest places

Windstar Cruises guests are world travellers who want to actively experience destinations first-hand, not steal glimpses through windows.

More than 45 percent of Windstar cruises now offer a late night (10.00pm or later) or overnight in port that allows cruisers much more time to explore. This is just one way the small ship cruise line enhances the guest experience catering to people who take travel immersion seriously, now offering a total of 299 ports in 79 countries, Signature Expeditions and a variety of newly curated cultural activities, entertainment and culinary indulgences that make Windstar 180 degrees from ordinary.

Because Windstar ships welcome only 148 to 310 guests, they can navigate waterways that are too cramped or shallow for the average cruise ship to access. That lands guests at more historic ports near the heart of the cities they visit and it means that getting off, getting back on and getting around independently are far easier tasks. Guests particularly value this freedom during overnight and late-night port calls.

No place is exactly the same in both daylight and dark and some of the best jazz, clubs, dancing and dining that often expose the soul of a city, only come to life after the sun sinks. Some ports are actually two-night stops.

Cruise the coast of Italy with A&K 2018

A new, intimate cruise of the Italian coast has been launched by luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent. The journey will be aboard the exclusively chartered new luxury all-balcony mega yacht Le Bougainville where guest numbers are limited to just 150. This all-inclusive cruise is a uniquely comprehensive, truly luxurious expedition revealing Italy’s most magnificent destinations from Florence, Livorno and Corsica (France) to Rome, the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Ancona and Venice.

Highlights include an elegant welcome event in the Tuscan countryside, the breathtaking Aeolian Islands and views of volcanic Stromboli Island, a private polyphonic choir concert and local tastings on Corsica, a special Sicilian gala event in a private castello and options for trekking, cooking classes, art appreciation, market visits and wine tastings.

The journey is accompanied by A&K’s hand-picked award-winning Expedition Team and local guides, a skilled service staff and crew, and one of the best personnel-to-guest ratios at sea, 1 to 1.3.

Throughout the voyage there are daily choices of expertly crafted shore excursions that cater to a range of interests, including art, nature, architecture, food and wine. All are meticulously researched, scouted and hand-selected by A&K’s expedition experts with insider access and personalised insight to Italy’s timeless landmarks, culture and history.

Riviera Travel doubles its solo-cruise offering for 2019

Unprecedented demand from the solo-travel market has prompted five-star, award-winning river cruise line, Riviera Travel, to increase the number of cruises it will offer for solo travellers only in 2019, with all cabins free of single supplements.

Four European river cruise itineraries have newly added departures reserved exclusively for solo travellers:

• a seven-night, round-trip cruise from Porto along the Douro River in Portugal on March 31, 2019
• two seven-night, round-trip cruises from Budapest on the Danube River on April 1 and October 28, 2019
• a seven-night cruise on the Rhone and Saone Rivers from Lyon to Avignon in France on October 31, 2019

This more than doubles the number of solos-only sailings Riviera Travel currently offers. The two spring sailings next March and April will coincide with the start of the summer cruise season.

Although a relatively new brand to Australians, Riviera Travel was established in 1984 in the UK and has since garnered a large customer base with its authentic and enriching holidays that offer superb value for money. The company is consistently recognised by the travel industry and consumers for outstanding quality, service and value.

All-inclusive indulgence aboard Silver Muse’s inaugural sailings to Asia

In November 2018, Silversea’s newest flagship vessel, Silver Muse will sail to Asia for the very first time, marking her inaugural sailing to the region. Setting sail from Muscat, Oman to Singapore on 23 October 2018, guests will encounter locations bursting with character during a 17 day voyage, arriving in Singapore on 9 November 2018, just under four months away. Guests booking before 31 July 2018 will also be able to take advantage of Silversea’s exclusive savings package.

The much anticipated arrival of Silver Muse in Singapore marks just one of many maiden ports of call as she makes her way towards Australia and New Zealand. Following her arrival in Singapore, Silver Muse will offer guests a selection of sailings between Singapore and Hong Kong before continuing on to Bali, Indonesia and then Sydney, Australia.

Whilst travelling between the dazzling cities of Singapore and Hong Kong, guests will discover some of the most beautiful destinations on Earth, including the spine tingling scenery, rich culture and fascinating history of Vietnam; the exquisite natural wonders of Ha Long Bay; the Philippines’ most spectacular coral reefs, and beaches; Malaysia’s shimmering waters; and Yangon’s rich collection of colonial architecture.

P&O Cruises announces new Ground Handler Uniforms

They are the welcoming smiling faces of cruising and the first people that guests encounter when they board a cruise ship to start making fabulous holiday memories.

This week, P&O’s dedicated ground handlers were sporting their smart new P&O Cruises uniforms when Pacific Explorer berthed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Showing off the new look with it’s blue and white check was all the more eventful as it happened as Pacific Explorer celebrated her first birthday with the P&O fleet.

The ground handlers play a varied role welcoming guests to the terminal, guiding them through the check-in process as well as being on hand for a smooth disembarkation guiding passengers through the terminal and on the way to taxis, coaches and waiting families.